Did you know…?

A member does not have the right to call out “Question” and end debate. The member must be recognized by the chair, the member must then move the previous question, it must be seconded, and it requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the members voting to end debate.

A majority is more than half – not 50% plus one.

The chair only votes to make or break a tie or when the vote is by ballot.

Only one main motion can be pending at a time. There are numerous secondary and incidental motions that can be made while that main motion is pending.

The motion to “table” is not the proper motion to kill a motion – it is used to attend to an urgent matter.

A member cannot be denied the right to vote or run for office simply because the member’s dues are delinquent, unless the organization’s bylaws specifically provide for suspension of the rights.

A motion does not require a second if debate has already begun on the motion. Likewise, a point of order raising the issue of a lack of a second has no effect on a motion that has been debated and adopted (or lost).

A quorum should be the number of members reasonably expected to attend a meeting on a regular basis – never a percentage of members.